Budding entrepreneurs in the Highlands and Islands have just two weeks left to make it into next year's Starter for 6 initiative, which is helping to produce the country's next generation of business stars.

Starter for 6 is an enterprise-development project led by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, running in Scotland until 2009. Supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), it aims to assist up to 300 entrepreneurs over the three-year project, and work with partners towards creating an environment where innovation can flourish.

The initiative is looking for outstanding applicants from across the Highlands and Islands area who have innovative business ideas including products and services, or inventive ways of bringing these to market and ideas that come from any of the faculties of science, technology or the arts/creative industries. The deadline for applications is Friday, December 14.

Over 300 applicants applied to the 2007 programme, with 62 businesses eventually making it through to Starter for 6. Training and support is provided to help fledgling entrepreneurs further develop their innovative business. On completion of training they have the opportunity to pitch for up to £10,000 of grant funding.

The pioneering new products and services created by this year's entrepreneurs range from environmentally friendly nappies and computer game software, to new tourism services and an extrication device that can save road crash victims from spinal injury.

People can apply to Starter for 6 from anywhere in Scotland. Applications can be from individuals or teams.

Starter for 6 partners include - HIE, Cultural Enterprise Office, Innovations Centres Scotland, Six Cities Design Festival, The Innovator's Counselling and Advisory Service Scotland (ICASS), 4 Talent, Scottish Arts Council and Coach in a Box.

Through Starter for 6, NESTA aims to deliver a programme that both addresses the needs of the Scottish economy and develops a model for supporting innovative businesses. Acknowledging that not every entrepreneur has the optimum business idea or team to assist that business, The scheme sets out to provide a tailored programme of training and support which includes four intensive days of enterprise training. Thereafter, participants can maintain contact with each other and their trainer and will be given coursework to complete. They will also have access to coaching over the phone.

Allocation of start-up grants will be based on the quality of the idea, its business potential and the strength of the proposed business team. Those wishing to apply should visit the Starter for 6 website for further information - www.nesta.org.uk/starterfor6